Moved by music: A typology of music listeners

Abstract

A typology of music listeners was constructed on the basis of importance attributed to music and four types of music use: mood enhancement; coping with problems; defining personal identity; and marking social identity. Three Listener Groups were identified through Latent Class Analysis of internet survey data of 997 Dutch respondents, aged 12—29. High-Involved listeners (19.7%) experienced music as a very important medium and used music most often for mood enhancement, coping with distress, identity construction and social identity formation. Medium- (74.2%) and Low- Involved (6.1%) listeners formed two distinct groups with less intense importance/use patterns Furthermore, High-Involved listeners reported that they liked a broad range of genres (Pop, Rock, High Brow, Urban and Dance) and experienced the most intense positive affect when listening. However, both High- and Medium-Involved listeners also reported more negative affects (anger and sadness) when listening, compared to the Low-Involved group. Even the Low-Involved group listened frequently to music and used music as a mood enhancer. Generally, people who are ‘moved by music’, either positively or negatively, use it for mood enhancement and coping more often. Therefore, the High-Involved group seems to benefit most from music’s capacity to enliven and enlighten life.